(19)

(11)

EP 1 295 300 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 26.03.2003 Bulletin 2003/13 (21) Application number: 01962289.3 (22) Date of filing: 08.06.2001

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G21F 9/00, G21F 9/16, G21F 9/32, F23G 7/00 (86) International application number: PCT/US0140/907 (87) International publication number: WO 0109/5342 (13.12.2001 Gazette 2001/50)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO SI (30) Priority: 09.06.2000 US 210393 P 24.04.2001 US 841791 (71) Applicant: Hanford Nuclear Services, Inc. West Plains, MO 65775 (US)	(72) Inventor: SOUNDARARAJAN, Rengarajan West Plains, MO 65775 (US) (74) Representative: Johnstone, Helen Margaret  Eric Potter ClarksonPark View House58 The Ropewalk Nottingham NG1 5DD Nottingham NG1 5DD (GB)